Minutes - May 21, 2020 - Board of Health Meeting

Members Present:

(via Webinar - Microsoft Teams)

Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Chair)
Ms. Aina DeViet (Vice-Chair)
Mr. John Brennan
Ms. Kelly Elliott
Mr. Bob Parker
Mr. Ian Peer
Mr. Matt Reid
Ms. Tino Kasi (arrived at 6:55 due to technical difficulties)
Ms. Arielle Kayabaga (arrived at 6:10 due to technical difficulties)

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health/CEO (Secretary Treasurer)
Ms. Lynn Guy, Executive Assistant to the Medical Officer of Health/CEO and Associate Medical Officer of Health (Recorder)
Dr. Alexander Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Director, Healthy Organization
Ms. Heather Lokko, Director, Healthy Start
Ms. Maureen Rowlands, Director, Healthy Living
Mr. Stephen Turner, Director, Environmental Health and Infectious Disease
Dr. Michael Clarke, VP Modernization
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Manager, Communications
Ms. Elizabeth Milne, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health and Communications Coordinator
Ms. Laurie Rees, Public Health Nurse

Chair Cassidy called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

Chair Cassidy inquired if there were any disclosures of conflicts of interest. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the AGENDA for the May 21, 2020 Board of Health meeting be approved. Carried

Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Ms. DeViet, that the MINUTES of the April 16, 2020 Board of Health meeting, the MINUTES of the May 13, 2020 Special Board of Health meeting and the MINUTES of the April 16, 2020 Relocation Advisory Committee be approved. Carried

Reports and Agenda Items

By Law Amendment Regarding Electronic Participation (Report No. 022-20)

Dr. Mackie noted that Ms. Di Cesare and her Team worked with legal counsel to revise this by-law to ensure electronic participation in meetings met legislative requirements.

It was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 022-20 re: “By Law Amendment Regarding Electronic Participation” for information. Carried

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adherence to the Nurse-Family Partnership Core Model Elements (Report No. 023-20)

Dr. Mackie advised the Chair that Ms. Lokko, Director of Health Start and Chief Nursing Officer was available should there be any questions for her. He noted the importance of making the Board of Health aware of how this program has been impacted because of COVID-19.
In response to Chair Cassidy’s question asking how the program is being delivered at this time, Dr. Mackie noted that there were many changes and a lot of work done to make the program effective.

Ms. Lokko highlighted some of the changes. To keep face to face meetings reserved for the most vulnerable, phone interviews were being used more often, a new policy has been instituted that allows the use of video meetings through OTN.
Ms. Lokko also noted that in the cases where a face to face meeting is necessary, staff are ensuring that proper screening and personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used.

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 023-20 re: “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adherence to the Nurse-Family Partnership Core Model Elements” for information. Carried

Staffing Update (Report No. 024-20)

Ms. Di Cesare provided this update. It was noted that due to the COVID-19 response, the Infectious Disease Control Team (IDC) and the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Team require additional support. This request is to hire 2 temporary full-time Public Health Nurses for IDC until the end of the year, and 1 public Health Nurse to provide coverage until March 2021.

It was moved by Ms. DeViet seconded by Ms. Elliott that the Board of Health receive Report No. 024-20 re: “Staffing Update” for information. Carried

COVID-19 Update (verbal)

Dr. Alexander Summers provided an update on the pandemic since the last Board of Health meeting.
As of today, there have been 493 reported cases in London and Middlesex County.
The Provincial numbers have been rising over the last 2 weeks which means that the anticipated flattening of the curve is not happening as predicted. Dr. Summers advised that it is very much a marathon ahead of us and the Health Unit response will be drawn out longer than expected.

There was discussion in regard to Long Term Care Facilities (LTC) that included:

• An outbreak in LTC is declared when one person tests positive;
• The testing of all staff and residents at all LTC facilities has been completed. It is not known at this time if the Province will be asking for the retesting of all LTC facilities, staff and residents;
• There has been a lot of media attention in regard to outbreaks;
• Several outbreaks have been declared over;
• The Health Unit continues to support LTC testing;
• The IMS model has been changed to include an Outbreak and Facility Management Team;

Testing – testing is continuing at both Assessment Centres, congregate settings and hospitals. Since there are more swabs available, a request has been sent out in the Healthcare Provider Newsletter looking for physicians in both the county and city who have capacity to safely do testing to volunteer to do so. It was also noted that swabs still need to be monitored to ensure there is adequate supply.

MLHU has been able to report to the province that all positive cases are contacted within 24 hours. The backlog of test results is currently being resolved as the laboratory network evolves. Lab results are generally being received within 48 hours.

Masking - the latest recommendation from Chief Medical Officers is that people wear a cloth mask when physical distancing is not possible. The Senior Leadership Team will discuss how this will look at the Health Unit. It was noted that the wearing of masks in public varies. Some people are wearing them, some not and some stores require shoppers to put on a mask before entering.

There was discussion in regard to the reopening of the city and county. With the recent celebration of Mother’s Day and the warmer weather, we will soon start to see if any trends present. This will help determine when communities could start to reopen. It was noted that the provincial case numbers dropped about 2 weeks ago but have now started to consistently go up.

The Health Unit will work with local partners and the Province to prepare as much as possible for a second wave should that happen.

Dr. Mackie noted that Heather Lokko, Director, Health Start and Chief Nursing Officer has taken the leadership role for recovery and renewal process. Ms. Lokko provided an update on the Health Unit’s recovery planning for the resumption of operations post-pandemic. She briefly noted the five objectives to be achieved and that the groups are working closely with other projects that are currently underway.

The five objectives to be achieved are:
Create a feasible plan return to operations in a wise way. A BOH report will be forthcoming as will a draft plan
1. Consider and look at successes. Acknowledge, pause and reflect at where we can strengthen our response. (Maureen Rowlands, Director, Healthy Living is the lead)
2. Wellness – organizational and individual. (Laura Di Cesare, Director Healthy Organization is the Lead). This group will work with Homewood Health as well as create a survey for all staff.
3. Heather Lokko – organizational structure and processes – what can we keep for the long sustainable term, for use beyond the pandemic.
4. Look at anticipating emerging issues and needs. June to October timeline.

It was noted that there will be a lot of work to be done, and that it won’t be easy to get back to “normal”.

It was moved by Ms. Elliott, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health receive “COVID-19 Verbal Update” for information.

Carried

Medical Officer of Health/CEO Activity Report for May (Report No. 025-20)

It was noted that aside from what is noted in this report, there are many other calls and meetings that are not included because they are too frequent, and all COVID-19 related. Dr. Mackie counted at least 30 COVID related meetings in his calendar in one week at the end of April. Dr. Mackie noted that public health is frequently being asked to be involved within the other sectors of the health system.
It was noted that Board of Health support has been much appreciated.

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 025-20 re: “Medical Officer of Health/CEO Activity Report for May” for information. Carried

Correspondence

Chair Cassidy inquired if there were any questions; hearing none she asked for a mover and seconder.

It was moved by Ms. DeViet, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the Board of Health receive items a) through f) for information.

It was moved by Ms. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health endorse items g) and h) and have the Board Chair send letters of appreciation to the London District Catholic School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board.

Carried

Dr. Mackie noted that Health Unit has been working on getting a permanent supervised consumption facility for 3 years. The Ministry asked the health unit to get support from both school boards before approving the 446 York Street site. Brian Lester and Dr. Mackie have been working with both School Boards, and even provided a virtual tour of the temporary site when the face to face tour had to be changed due to COVID-19.

Board members shared their appreciation and it was noted that the need for this service still remains.

Other Business

Next Board of Health meeting – June 18, 2020

Confidential

At 7:04 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Peer, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health move in-camera to consider matters regarding labour relations, identifiable individuals and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. Carried

At 7:05 p.m., it was moved by Ms. DeViet, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health return to public session.
Carried

Chair Cassidy asked for a mover and seconder to recess for 30 minutes.
It was moved by Ms. Kayabaga, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health take a 30-minute recess. Carried
 
At 7:30 p.m. the Board of Health reconvened the meeting.

At 7:30 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Elliott, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health move in-camera to consider matters regarding labour relations, identifiable individuals and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. Carried

At 12:07 a.m. it was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Ms. DeViet, that the Board of Health return to public session. Carried

Adjournment

At 12:08 a.m., it was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Peer, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

Maureen Cassidy
Chair

Christopher Mackie
Secretary-Treasurer